diabetes/needle free or painless monitor?

[Belle1962]

HI- I was newly diagnosed type 2. I have such a needle phobia that my GP agreed to no monitor for the first three months. However I have heard there are newer models that are almost pain free. And some that don't require a finger prick. Cost is not a huge concern as I will pay almost anything to avoid the needles.

As far as diet goes I planned on eating fairly healthy at DW anyway but am surprised Disney doesn't provide nutrition information on all of it's foods. I thought that was a federal regulation?

 

[aaarcher86]

HI- I was newly diagnosed type 2. I have such a needle phobia that my GP agreed to no monitor for the first three months. However I have heard there are newer models that are almost pain free. And some that don't require a finger prick. Cost is not a huge concern as I will pay almost anything to avoid the needles.

As far as diet goes I planned on eating fairly healthy at DW anyway but am surprised Disney doesn't provide nutrition information on all of it's foods. I thought that was a federal regulation?

I believe each location has the nutrition info. They are t required to provide it in advance. Their vendors change frequently.

 

[Sadie22]

There are several glucometers which advertise alternate site testing can be used. That gives the result that a fingertip test might have given earlier. I test on my forearm for fasting, before meals and two hours after meals. I am under good control. Testing will help you find out what effect various foods and portion sizes have on your metabolism. If your doctor has not prescribed diabetes education with a certified diabetes educator and nutritionist, I recommend that. You may need to ask for it as some doctors do not know it exists. You will be taught how and when to test. November is Diabetes Month. A nearby hospital or diabetes center may even have an open house scheduled where meter vendors will be handing out samples and can explain how to use them.

 

[gap2368]

there is something called gental ( you can google it I do not have time to right now) it is soposted to be painless there is nothing on the marked that dose not take blood so if you want to test then you will need to poke your self.

as fair as eating at disney no they will not give you the carb count of food but they will give you portion of the food you have and from there you can get a good idea of carbs.

 

[buffettgirl]

there is something called gental ( you can google it I do not have time to right now) it is soposted to be painless there is nothing on the marked that dose not take blood so if you want to test then you will need to poke your self.

as fair as eating at disney no they will not give you the carb count of food but they will give you portion of the food you have and from there you can get a good idea of carbs.

Actually there are continuous glucose monitors that test interstitial fluid, and as the name applies, they test continuously. They don't use blood.
Otherwise, I'm not actually sure what you're saying - I can't find any reference to a product called "gental" . Please provide a link.

To the OP, your glucometer may come with a lancing device, but you don't need to use that particular lancing device. You can use anything on the market. Two that I highly recommend are the accu-chek fast click or the One Touch Delica. Both are very easy to use and have small gauge lancets. There really isn't anything painless out there, but if you're testing correctly, on the sides of your fingers, not the pads, you'll minimize the discomfort as much as you can. Alternate site testing is ok, but it still hurts, and usually you need to use more blood. I'd recommend getting a different lancing device first, and see how it feels.

 

[gap2368]

no the CGM ( and yes I wear one) goes in with a needle and it hurts a lot more then testing with a finger stick you still have to test and it is very pricy like in the 1,000 of dollar ( I know the OP said price was no problem

this is someone who uses it and they did a video on it this did not work for them but I have heard of people who they say it works great for

and since every one know I am the world best speller here is the right spelling

Genteel Lancing Device

 

[xlxo]

I had a similar dilemma with mom.

• Is it elder abuse to jab mom daily for the test?
• Is it elder abuse to NOT jab her daily and avoiding the test?

The compromize was to get an "A1C" test every three months.

 

[buffettgirl]

On genteel. I have no idea how you thought we were going to google that. And it still uses other lancets, so you're still limited by the lancet you put in side of it. As for the CGM, I was simply replying to your statement that there was nothing on the market that does not take blood. (at least I think that's what you were saying.)

I had a similar dilemma with mom.

• Is it elder abuse to jab mom daily for the test?
• Is it elder abuse to NOT jab her daily and avoiding the test?

The compromize was to get an "A1C" test every three months.

and A1C is not the same as testing blood sugar. They tell you different things.

 

[gap2368]

no I meant there was nothing that did not pock the skin ( it has been a very long day for me and I am having a hard time getting my thoughts to come out and I can not spell )

 

[xlxo]

A1C is not the same as testing blood sugar. They tell you different things.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[gap2368]

I had a similar dilemma with mom.

• Is it elder abuse to jab mom daily for the test?
• Is it elder abuse to NOT jab her daily and avoiding the test?

The compromize was to get an "A1C" test every three months.

an A1C and testing every day are two very different things you can have great A1c and still have a lot of bad numbers I would make a different compromise with your mom and no it is not elder abuse at all. I would think not testing would be elder abuse

 

[Sadie22]

It is not elder abuse for medical personnel, patients, and family to decide that certain medical treatments or drugs are more hurtful than not treating a condition at an advanced age. Cholesterol drugs may be discontinued, blood glucose may not be controlled as tightly, etc.

 

[gap2368]

HI- I was newly diagnosed type 2. I have such a needle phobia that my GP agreed to no monitor for the first three months. However I have heard there are newer models that are almost pain free. And some that don't require a finger prick. Cost is not a huge concern as I will pay almost anything to avoid the needles.

As far as diet goes I planned on eating fairly healthy at DW anyway but am surprised Disney doesn't provide nutrition information on all of it's foods. I thought that was a federal regulation?

OK now that I am more awake I will try and re-answer this question.

1 thing to keep in mind there is no way to monitor BG with out using a needle in some way or the other yes you can test on other places then your finger. yes there re CGM but they need at lest 2 finger sticks a day ( and I think the dexcom needs 4 2 at a time or that may just be when starting it)

any ways if or when your dr says you need to start testing ( and I am all for starting now even if you only test 1 time a day/ week

get a lancing device where you can test in places other then finger tips, if this will help you, but I find it hurts more and you have to work harder to get enough blood to test, I have to push the launching device down very hard and even then I am not getting enough blood to test.

if you want to use your fingers there are a few things you can do so it is not so pain full

1 test on the sids of your finger so like half way between your nail and the base of your finger.

2 squeeze your finger some to get the blood to flow better

3 use the lowed depth on your launching device that you can

4 changes your lancets every time you test so it dose not go duel there are some that comes in a drum of 6 and that way there is no needles to see ( Accu-chek fastclip is the one I use most often)

5 relies that the singer use at the dr office hurts a lot more then the ones you use at home

6. I had a fear of needles and had a hard time until I saw a 4 your old on you tub testing her BG and I kind of sad to my self oh gee do not make me feel bad at all.

I hope some of this tips help you out

and I just forgot. Test with a purpose. so maybe once a week you pick a meal test before hand and then 2 hours after and see what the foods you ate did to your glucose or you can test before you go for a walk then about 30 minutes after you get done this will give you an idea of how much exercise lower you BG ( and just so you know so exercise will raise BG then lowers it)

 

[Belle1962]

Thank you to everyone. At my first diabetes class I got the monitor. At the class we were told to check: morning, before and after (2 hrs after) each meal, and at bedtime. That's a heck of a lot of supplies. Anyway, when I used up the starter kit I called my dr and told them I had changed my mind about the monitor and asked them to call in a Rx for the lancets and strips. When I picked them up the label said to test once per day. I called them and they said that insurance only pays for a 30 day supply and to test one day fasting (a,m,) and then the next after a meal and rotate. Has anyone ever heard of only 1x per day testing?

 

[buffettgirl]

Yes, it's standard for insurance companies to generally authorize 1 test per day for people with type 2. You will need your dr to authorize x number of tests per day. It's pretty standard for your doctor to have to do. The pharmacy will probably have already sent them a prior authorization to complete, but just give your dr a call with a heads up. Unless you have REALLY crappy insurance, you'll have no trouble getting the right number of strips.

 

[gap2368]

yes for people with type 2 newly DX not on medicine or just metforman testing one time a day is standard for insurance companies buffer girl is right about how to get more test strips my insurance only covers 8 per day but I get 10. it is not easy and you have to go through the process every year

by the what what lancing device are you using I know you said you have problems with needle how is this woking for you

 

[Belle1962]

I went with the Accu Chek and just decided to suck it up and put my big girl panties on.

 

[buffettgirl]

AccuChek makes a good lancing device. You'll eventually get used to it. (Sad to say that, but it's true)

 

[Garethsmom]

I have great things about Genteel but it is $125. I would start with the accu check fast click which is great and you can get about 5 tests on a needle before it really hurts and has to advance which saves money. The lancet that comes with the meter is crap and hurts. You will get used to it.

 

[book_junkie]

Thank you to everyone. At my first diabetes class I got the monitor. At the class we were told to check: morning, before and after (2 hrs after) each meal, and at bedtime. That's a heck of a lot of supplies. Anyway, when I used up the starter kit I called my dr and told them I had changed my mind about the monitor and asked them to call in a Rx for the lancets and strips. When I picked them up the label said to test once per day. I called them and they said that insurance only pays for a 30 day supply and to test one day fasting (a,m,) and then the next after a meal and rotate. Has anyone ever heard of only 1x per day testing?

Insurance will only pay for 30 days, but it will pay for 30 days of what your doctor put on the prescription. If that's what your doctor wrote on your prescription, then yes. But if that's not what he wants, then the prescription is wrong. The prescription should reflect how much the doctor wants you to test- so if they want you to test as the class tells you (5 times a day), then you should have gotten a prescription for 150 test strips (about 5 boxes depending on the brand), and two boxes of lancets. If it's once a day (which is nuts- I've never had that ever), then it would be one thing of strips and a box of lancets. There should also be a buffer in there for the strips because you'll always mess up some at somepoint- either not enough of a drop, or just a weird error message. I've been diabetic for over a decade, and still screw up strips.

It's common with my doctor office for the front staff to give messages and things to get messed up like crazy. Call them back and get clarification.

You can go online and get an idea of food portions if you haven't gone to food education classes already or if your insurance won't pay for it. Testing will tell you how your body reacts to the serving suggestions of carbs. I've found it to be helpful to get the visuals in my head when eating out- what is a handful versus a deck of cards, etc. http://www.cuyunamed.org/Portion-Control-Guide with household goods.pdf When I was first diagnosed and went on trips, I would have little cards to help me out, and it did work because I would get so confused. Now I can eyeball things pretty well.

Quick Service places might have nutritional information and they might not; typically they have it with the allergy information for the special products they import. Table service won't as it's all inhouse, unless it's a special allergy product that's premade. You can try using an online calorie counter like myfitness pal and look up similar foods to get an idea of what you're eating, and look at menus online to help things out.

A final thought is to remember that you may be exercising a LOT more at Disney than you would be normally, even if you don't realize it. Depending on the medication you've been put on (if any, or even just pill form), you could experience symptoms of low blood sugar, so be ware of how you're feeling and know the signs.